Blog If You Love Learning

Mark Wagner
Educational Technology and Life
mark@edtechlife.com

Interactive Demo

• What is a blog?
• What is the read/write web?
• What do these technologies mean for you and your students?

Create an Account at http://www.edublogs.org

The One-Way Web

• Powerful resource for educators and students, but…
• Information moves from publishers to consumers
• Information cannot be edited
• Read-Only Web
• Web 1.0

The Two-Way Web

• It is now as easy to create as it is to consume.
• Anyone can publish, share, and change information
• Read/Write Web
• Web 2.0
• This is changing our world!

Blogs

• Web + Log = weblog or “we blog”
• Easily created
• Easily updated
• If you can email, you can blog.
• Blogs allow visitors to comment.

Educational Blogs

• Teacher web sites Example
• Class web sites Example
• Learning journals Example
• Book Clubs Example
• Connect with Authors and Experts Example
• Pen Pals Example (See Global Awareness and Cultural Literacy Through Electronic Dialog)
• Professional Development Example
• Reflective Practice Example
• More Examples: http://www.supportblogging.com

Hands-On with http://www.edublogs.org

Benefits

• Engagement and Motivation
• Context
• Inquiry
• Collaboration
• Reflection and Metacognition

Concerns

• Information Literacy
• Inappropriate Content
• Inappropriate Sharing
• Threats and Cyber-bullying
• Intellectual Property
• Fraud and Identity Theft
• Stalkers and Predators
• Free Speech Concerns
• Lack of Understanding

Proactive Strategies

• Citizen Journalism and Citizen Police Work
• Legal Protections
• Safety Tips for Students
• Safety Tips for Parents
• Communication and Empathy

Reflection

• How might you use a blog or blogs with your class?
• What is your next step?
• Evaluation

Blog Search Engines
Technorati.com
Google Blog Search